My best friend's brother and my brother's best friend (2016)

Beach fun and a hopeful future

*Picture of Dani*

The next few days pass by pretty uneventfully, mainly spent with my mum, Cara and Al. I don't manage to arrange to meet Alex yet so it's just a matter of avoiding Eli in case I give in to temptation. I don't know much about the progress that Eli's having with Nicki but I leave well alone.

"It's such a nice day!"

Cara pulls me from my deep thoughts as she comes into the room, returning from her run. Throwing her jacket down, she falls backwards onto the bed and exhales deeply.

"Yeah, I thought we could go down to the beach," I suggest as I sit in front of the vanity mirror, applying light makeup.

"Yeah, I'll ask if the boys are free."

"Maybe not," I say with a slight laugh.

"Why?" She asks sitting up and trying to hold back her grin.

"You know why, I'm trying to avoid falling into temptation," I reply.

"Then hanging out with Eli should be fine, shouldn't it?"

"Haha very droll," I fake laugh pulling a face.

"Well then I'm going to grab a shower and then we can go I guess. Go and ask if they're interested, I'm sure it'll be fine." She gives me an encouraging smile before quickly skipping into the bathroom.

I finish making myself look presentable, letting my hair loose around my shoulders. I spring up and retrieve my favourite black bikini, the day is beautiful over twenty degrees and I definitely want to make the most of it. I quickly get changed and put in my favourite silver belly button piercing. I only got it last year when I was feeling daring.

I quickly change my silver earrings and with one last mirror inspection, leave the room.

"Jeremy?" I call out, knocking on the big bathroom's door.

"What's up?" The door clicks open and he greets me with a smile as he towel dries his hair.

"We're thinking of going to the beach in a bit of you want to come?"

"Sounds good," he replies smiling again "but ... you wearing that?"

"Um yes I am and you have to stop being so overprotective," I chastise, poking his chest boldly.

"Just looking out for my lil' sis!" He holds his hands up in defeat.

"Hey mate, you finally done ye -"

Eli comes racing down the stairs as me and Jeremy turn to look at him but he stops in his tracks. Taking my appearance in, I somewhat regret standing there in just my bikini.

"I'm gonna get dressed then. You coming to the beach man?" Jeremy asks heading towards the stairs, hopefully unaware of the slight awkwardness in the air at the moment.

"Yeah ... sure," Eli eventually replies, not taking his eyes off mine.

Thankfully, he waits until Jeremy is well gone before heading towards me, tightly holding his towel around his waist.

"So ..."

"So," he laughs in response, now only a few centimetres away from me.